DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/27 September) – At least P100 million in exhibitors’ sales and contract deals are expected to be generated during the three-day 21st Davao Agri-Trade Expo (DATE), dubbed the biggest and longest-running agricultural expo in Mindanao, at the SMX Convention Center here.
Valente D. Turtur, DATE chairperson, said in an interview that the trade expo drew over a hundred exhibitors engaged in various agricultural industries from all over the Philippines.
The expo opened on Thursday and will run until Saturday.
Turtur said plenary sessions would tackle the implementation of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, a measure that eliminates import restrictions on rice and hybrid rice development; coconut export and product development; intensification of the financial support of the Land Bank of the Philippines for the agricultural industry of Mindanao; and the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF).
According to the Department of Agriculture, the so-called “1-7-10 Protocol” had been vigorously applied “to effectively manage, contain and control the situation, as well provide timely and accurate information for all stakeholders and the general public” after it confirmed ASF outbreaks in Barangay Pritil, Guiguinto, in Bulacan, and in several barangays in Rodriguez, San Mateo, and Antipolo in Rizal.
The Food and Drug Administration had also imposed a temporary ban on pork products from ASF-hit countries and warned food business operators against importing, distributing and selling banned products.
Turtur said the focus of this year’s expo includes crops, livestock, hogs, gamefowl and aquaculture.
He said the event aims to “bring together global and national agricultural experts that will provide essential ideas, best practices, emerging markets and wide prospects and networks that will contribute to Mindanao’s agricultural sector.” (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)